Branstad names K. Brian London to head Iowa’s Department of Public Safety

New commissioner has served in the CIA, U.S. Secret Service and INTERPOL

September 13, 2012

(DES MOINES) Gov. Terry Branstad today named K. Brian London has the new Commissioner of the Iowa Department of Public Safety. London begins on October 8th, and replaces Larry Noble, who retired from the position earlier this year.

London, 59, has a long career in public safety, beginning as a U.S. Military Captain from 1975-1980. London then served as the State Traffic Officer for the California Highway Patrol until 1983. From there, he went on to serve in the Office of Security at the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in Langley, VA.

London returned to California in 1984, where he served as a special agent in the U.S. Secret Service until 1987. From 1987 to 2004, London worked in Washington, D.C. as the Director and Supervisor of Detectives at the U.S. Customs Service, which later turned into the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE.)

London served as Executive Director at the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) in Lyon, France from 2004-07. He then moved to serve as Deputy Chief for Law Enforcement at the Florida Department of Financial Services in Tallahassee. London remained in Tallahassee, where he most recently was operating as an independent security consultant.

"Iowa is incredibly fortunate to have Brian filling this critically important role within state government," said Gov. Branstad. "There is no higher responsibility for the government than to protect its citizens, and Brian has a wealth of experience to apply within our Department of Public Safety."

"I am honored to have been selected for this position, and look forward to serving with the outstanding men and women of the Department," London said. "I will make enforcement and efficiency both top priorities for the department. I believe a more efficient department will offer a better return for Iowa's taxpayers, and will allow us to perform our core function, which is to protect the safety of Iowans. In my role as a part of Florida law enforcement, I led the effort to reorganize divisions to enhance efficiency, which resulted in increased enforcement."

Fact Box

About K. Brian London:

After serving 6 years on active duty as a military officer, Brian London has served as a sworn law enforcement officer for over 30 years, uniquely serving in a variety of roles in local, state, federal, and international law enforcement. Brian's initial law enforcement position began in 1981 when he became a State Traffic Officer with the California Highway Patrol, serving in Santa Cruz, California. He later served as a Special Agent in the Central Intelligence Agency, and a Special Agent in the US Secret Service, providing protection to current and former Presidents, Vice-Presidents, and visiting foreign heads of state.

In 1987 Brian transferred to the US Customs Service (now Immigration and Customs Enforcement) and was assigned to the southwest border to work narcotics, financial crimes, environmental crimes, and high-technology crimes investigations. Over the years, Brian served in numerous management positions with the US Customs Service including; Senior Customs Representative, International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL), Lyon, France, Customs Liaison to the Executive Office of the President of the United States (The White House), Director in the Office of Investigations, Chief of Special Agent Career Planning, and Exodus Command Center Supervisor. In addition, Brian spearheaded the creation and establishment of the US Treasury Department's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN), which today is one of law enforcement's largest criminal intelligence and analysis organizations.

In 2000 Brian was assigned to INTERPOL Headquarters, in Lyon, France, and became its first American Executive Director, serving until 2007. From 2008 until 2010, he served in the position of Deputy Chief for Law Enforcement in Florida's Department of Financial Services. As the senior law enforcement officer within the Department, Brian had the privilege of leading nearly 900 personnel responsible for criminal investigations of financial fraud, insurance fraud, mortgage fraud, worker's compensation fraud, and arson. In addition, Brian oversaw the State Fire College and the State Arson and Explosives Laboratory. Brian also sat on the Florida Violent Crime and Drug Control Council.

Brian London received the US Department of the Treasury's Albert C. Gallatin Award, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network's (FinCEN) Distinguished Service Award, the US Customs Commissioner's Citation Award, Certificate of Merit Award from the Executive Office of the President of the United States, the US Department of the Treasury Certificate of Merit Award, numerous Superior Performance Awards, the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA) Achievement Award for Academic/Press Affairs, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Writing Competition's, US Marine Corps Association Award, as well as numerous other significant law enforcement awards.

In 1992, Brian was selected to attend the Senior Executive Fellows Program at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government, and in 1997 Brian London was selected to attend the National War College (the US Military's senior officer military college) as the only US law enforcement representative.

Brian possesses a Bachelor of Arts Degree (with Honors) from Claremont McKenna College, a Master's of Arts Degree in Human Resource Management from Pepperdine University, and a Master's of Science Degree in National Security Strategy from the National Defense University.

Brian is a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), a certified polygraph examiner, and private pilot. Brian is also an active member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, and former member of the Florida Police Chief's Association, and the Florida Sheriff's Association.

Reynolds says London will work closely with the administration to ensure Iowa's safety needs are met.

"Our administration looks forward to working with Brian to ensure Iowa's well-earned reputation for being a safe place to live and raise a family is upheld," said Reynolds. "Brian's appointment sends a strong signal about our administration's commitment to public safety. We are excited to welcome Brian, and his experience, to the team."